Hunting & Fishing License Fee Bill Passes Appropriations Committee

House Bill 4668, which contains Governor Snyder’s proposed hunting and fishing license fee restructure, passed the House Appropriations Committee today and will move on to the full House of Representatives.

The committee approved a substitute for the original bill, introduced by Rep. Jon Bumstead (R – Newago), which made sure that more of the fees from the duck stamp will go directly toward waterfowl habitat restoration and acquisition.

During his introductory remarks, Rep. Bumstead noted that the structure of license fees will be simplified, moving from 227 to around 40 different license types. He also noted that the Department of Natural Resources has pledged to use the approximately $19 million in additional revenue generated to improve fish and wildlife habitat, hire more conservation officers, and do more outreach to hunters and anglers.

An additional $1 surcharge will also be added to base hunting licenses, fishing licenses and multi-species licenses that will be directed to marketing the benefits of hunting and fishing to the non-hunting public.

The bill passed the committee with bipartisan support. No one voted against it, though seven members passed (didn’t vote). A humorous moment occurred during roll call when Rep. Greg MacMaster (R – Kewadin) replied, “Oh, sure, why not?” when asked his vote.

CBrown

Im a lifetime hunter and outdoorsman in Michigan and IM ALL. FOR it if they Hire More conservation officers. We need more, people are illegally dumping and doing all kinds of things that are harmful to our environment and out beautiful state. I think the general fund should be paying its fair share to protect our state and it Should NOT be all on the hunters and fisherman of the state.